N1 - Unable to flash GPS Program, "NG" Error

[sisyphus]

Hey everyone, brand new to this site and the forums...

 

I was updating my N1 to the 60-series software and somehow it failed... so following the excellent instructions I found on here, I went in to flash the memory back to the 40-series software.

 

Flashing the System and Application worked fine... no issues there.

 

However, the program version for "GPS Program" says "NG". I can go in to try and update it to the version on the DVD (4.00) but when I select POS to flash it, it beeps once and doesn't update anything.

 

Any help on this would be appreciated because right now the unit is non-functional except for the service menu... I tried re-updating to 60 and that didn't work. Help!

[PaisanNYC]

Sounds like you downloaded the bad torrent floating around on the net. You might have bricked your unit.

[sisyphus]

Do you think if I mailed it back to Pionner they would repair it? (For a fee of course)

 

I guess if nothing else, this should be a warning to others. I didn't download the torrent, I won the 60-series disc off eBay. I was expecting a real copy, and even emailed the seller to ask if they were real or not. He replied that they were indeed "pressed discs". However I received burned copies.

 

pstoodvdr was the guy's handle on ebay. Stay away.

[PaisanNYC]

sounds like the guy who used to come on here under the screename Praetorean. Stay away from him on this board too.

I believe Pioneer charges a flat rate of $200 or $250 to fix the AVICs.

[sisyphus]

Yuck.

 

That's what I get for trying to take the easy way out.

 

Thanks for your help, Paisan. I appreciate it. I'm going to call Pioneer this afternoon.

[PaisanNYC]

no problem. Good luck buddy. Let us know how it works out.

[sisyphus]

Update on this issue!

 

Sent my unit to Pioneer for repair, and just got it back today. Haven't installed it yet, but the good news is that there is that Pioneer did not charge me for the fix. Apparently they were able to reflash the firmware some other way.

 

I sent them a note explaining exactly what happened, and sent them my 40MT disc with it. I said that I didn't care what version of the software was on my unit, as long as it worked. They sent back a note stating that they had reflashed the unit. They flashed the 60MT software to make sure it would work if I chose to upgrade later, and then reflashed with the 40MT.

 

So in short... working unit, and my wallet is still full. Very impressed and grateful for Pioneer's customer service.

[PaisanNYC]

very nice! Glad to hear you are back in business!

[sisyphus]

Suppose I spoke too soon. The problem remains. Which means that I'm going to have to send them my unit's brain.

 

I am so frustrated right now, but moreso am I angry at that guy on ebay who has cost a lot of people a lot of money.

[sisyphus]

Here's an update on this and a quick word of advice for others who have to send their unit in for repairs.

 

I sent my brain back to Pioneer and got a phone call about the $200 charge to fix it. As expected, with one little twist.

 

The Pioneer rep I spoke to (her name was June) said that had I mailed back both the head unit AND the brain to Pioneer the first time I needed it fixed, that there would have been no charge for the brain this time. So if you need to send your stuff back, make sure you send both.